STAND. COM. REP. NO. 378

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1407

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1407 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Require all members of the State Building Code Council to have significant experience and knowledge of building codes and the cost impacts of building code revisions;

 

     (2)  Add two voting council members, representing the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties and the construction trade unions, respectively;

 

     (3)  Require the State Building Code Council and its subcommittee to conduct a cost-benefit analysis prior to recommending state code amendments;

 

     (4)  Require council members and the drafters of recommended state code amendments to disclose potential conflicts of financial interests;

 

     (5)  Require the State Building Code Council to consult with builders of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings; and

 

     (6)  Require the State Building Code Council to adopt the International Building Code every six years starting with the 2018 edition.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the State Fire Council and Honolulu Fire Department.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office.

 

Your Committee finds that the State Building Code Council was established by Act 82, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007, to create and implement a uniform set of statewide building codes applicable to all construction in the State of Hawaii, which is now known as the Hawaii State Building Codes.  Your Committee further finds that health and safety considerations related to the State Building Codes are matters of statewide concern.

 

Your Committee also finds that the State Building Code Council has struggled with limited funding and insufficient staffing since its creation.  With most members being government officials lacking the required knowledge and experience.  Amendments to the State Building Codes proposed by the private sector and others, especially amendments to codes that do not pertain to public health or safety, are often adopted without a cost benefit analysis; input from residential, commercial, and industrial builders; or consideration of the resulting increase in the overall cost of construction in Hawaii.  This measure will ensure that knowledgeable and experienced members are making decisions as to the State Building Codes.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1407 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 


Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

 

 

 

________________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair